Bishoujo

Bishoujo is Japanese for "pretty girl". In normal Japanese conversation, the word can apply to any girl from toddlerhood to late teens. In the Anime and Manga fandoms, however, the word is Anime Fan Speak for attractive girls and young women, particularly those intended to appeal to a male audience. Although Shonen and Seinen have included a variety of pretty ladies for the viewers to ogle since their beginnings, the popularity of Moe and What Do You Mean It's Not for Little Girls? shows since the late 1990s has translated into increasingly Shoujo-influenced character and costume designs for bishoujo characters.

Common elements of modern bishoujo design and costume art style include: